Recovery Strategy for the Seaside Centipede Lichen (Heterodermia sitchensis) in Canada (Proposed)-2006

September 2006

Authors
Acknowledgements
Preface
Strategic Environmental Assessment

SARA is the Act developed by the federal government as a key contribution to the common national effort to protect and conserve species at risk in Canada. SARA came into force in 2003 and one of its purposes is“to provide for the recovery of wildlife species that are extirpated, endangered or threatened as a result of human activity.”

In the context of species at risk conservation, recovery is the process by which the decline of an endangered, threatened, or extirpated species is arrested or reversed and threats are removed or reduced to improve the likelihood of the species’ persistence in the wild. A species will be considered recovered when its long-term persistence in the wild has been secured.

A recovery strategy is a planning document that identifies what needs to be done to arrest or reverse the decline of a species. It sets goals and objectives and identifies the main areas of activities to be undertaken. Detailed planning is done at the action plan stage.

Recovery strategy development is a commitment of all provinces and territories and of three federal agencies -- Environment Canada, Parks Canada Agency, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada -- under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk. Sections 37–46 of SARA outline both the required content and the process for developing recovery strategies published in this series.

Depending on the status of the species and when it was assessed, a recovery strategy has to be developed within one to two years after the species is added to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk. Three to four years is allowed for those species that were automatically listed when SARA came into force.

In most cases, one or more action plans will be developed to define and guide implementation of the recovery strategy. Nevertheless, directions set in the recovery strategy are sufficient to begin involving communities, land users, and conservationists in recovery implementation. Cost-effective measures to prevent the reduction or loss of the species should not be postponed for lack of full scientific certainty.

This series presents the recovery strategies prepared or adopted by the federal government under SARA. New documents will be added regularly as species get listed and as strategies are updated.

To learn more about the Species at Risk Act and recovery initiatives, please consult the SARA Public Registry and the Web site of the Recovery Secretariat (http://www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca/recovery/).

National Recovery Team for Heterodermia sitchensis(Seaside Centipede Lichen). 2006. Recovery Strategy for Seaside Centipede Lichen (Heterodermia sitchensis), in Canada [Proposed]. Species at Risk Act Recovery Series. Parks Canada Agency, Ottawa. 18 pp.

You can download additional copies from the SARA Public Registry.

Cover illustration: © Parks Canada Agency/Brian Reader

Également disponible en français sous le titre :

« Programme de rétablissement de l’hétérodermie maritime (Heterodermia sitchensis) au Canada [proposition] »

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of the Environment, 2006. All rights reserved.

ISBNTo come

Cat. no. To come

Content (excluding the illustrations) may be used without permission, with appropriate credit to the source.

The Strategy was prepared by the National Recovery Team for Heterodermia sitchensis (Seaside Centipede Lichen):

Brian Reader, Recovery Team Chair
Species at Risk Ecologist
Coastal BC Field Unit
Parks Canada Agency
2nd Floor, 711 Broughton Street, Victoria, BC
V8W 1E2
Telephone: (250) 363-8560
FAX: (250) 363-8552
Brian.Reader@pc.gc.ca

Dave Fraser, Species Specialist, Species at Risk
Terrestrial Ecosystem Science Section
Ministry of Water, Land, and Air Protection
Province of British Columbia
PO Box 9338 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC
V8W 9M1

John McIntosh, Conservation Biologist
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
Parks Canada Agency
2185 Ocean Terrace
PO Box 280, Ucluelet, BC
V0R 3A0
Telephone: 250-762-7165 ext. 236
John.Mcintosh@pc.gc.ca

Peter Achuff, Species at Risk Botanist
Waterton Lakes National Park
Parks Canada Agency
Waterton Park, AB
T0K 2M0
Telephone: 1-403-859-5185
Peter.Achuff@pc.gc.ca

Ted Lea, Vegetation Ecologist
Terrestrial Ecosystem Science Section
Ministry of Water, Land, and Air Protection
Province of British Columbia
PO Box 9338 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC
V8W 9M1

Trevor Goward, Lichenologist
Enlichened Consulting Ltd.

Ken Wright, Consultant/Researcher

We would like to acknowledge the significant effort of the members of the National Recovery Team for Heterodermia sitchensis (Seaside Centipede Lichen).

This Recovery Strategy addresses the recovery of the Seaside Centipede Lichen. In Canada, the species range is restricted to the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. All occurrences are on federal (Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada) and provincial lands.

Under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk (1996), the federal, provincial, and territorial governments agreed to work together on legislation, programs, and policies to protect wildlife species at risk throughout Canada. The Species at Risk Act(S.C. 2002, c.29) (SARA) requires the competent minister to prepare recovery strategies for listed Extirpated, Endangered and Threatened species.

The Parks Canada Agency led the preparation of this recovery strategy with the members of the Seaside Centipede Lichen Recovery Team, and in cooperation with the Province of British Columbia, Environment Canada/Canadian Wildlife Service, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and First Nations.

This strategy will be complemented by one action plan that will provide details regarding specific recovery measures to be taken to support conservation of the species. The Minister of the Environment will take steps to ensure that, to the extent possible, Canadians interested in or directly affected by these measures will be consulted.

Success in the recovery of this species depends on the commitment and cooperation of many different constituencies that will be involved in implementing the directions set out in this strategy. In the spirit of the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk in Canada, all Canadians are invited to join in supporting and implementing this strategy for the benefit of the species and Canadian society as a whole. The Minister will report on progress within five years.

A strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is conducted on all SARA recovery planning documents, in accordance with the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals. The purpose of a SEA is to incorporate environmental considerations into the development of public policies, plans, and program proposals to support environmentally-sound decision making.

Recovery planning is intended to benefit species at risk and biodiversity in general. However, it is recognized that strategies may also inadvertently lead to environmental effects beyond the intended benefits. The planning process based on national guidelines directly incorporates consideration of all environmental effects, with a particular focus on possible impacts on non-target species or habitats. The results of the SEA are incorporated directly in the strategy itself, but are also summarized below.

The Recovery Strategy for the Seaside Centipede Lichen (Heterodermia sitchensis) in Canada underwent a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) review in accordance with the 2004 Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals. Impact assessment methodology focussed on identification and assessment of actions capable of generating environmental effects. Positive and negative impacts were considered. Scope of the assessment included review and evaluation of all actions proposed in the Recovery Strategy for the Seaside Centipede Lichen in Canada. Proposals thought to have potential to generate significant environmental effects were assessed and documented in greater detail. Results of the assessment are briefly discussed here. Please consult the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Recovery Strategy for the Seaside Centipede Lichen in Canada, for detailed environmental assessment documentation.

The Recovery Strategy identified current threats to the Seaside Centipede Lichen and its habitat. Knowledge gaps were also identified. Recovery objectives and actions clearly focus on resolving specific threats and information gaps. Actions proposed in the recovery strategy have little potential to produce significant adverse environmental effects. The majority of actions are innocuous by nature. Actions involving fieldwork (inventory, monitoring, research) have the greatest potential to generate negative environmental effects. All fieldwork impacts are avoidable or can be fully mitigated with known technology.

Recovery planning is intended to benefit species at risk and biodiversity in general. However, it is recognized that strategies may also inadvertently lead to environmental effects beyond the intended benefits. The recovery strategy and SEA therefore assessed the potential for the strategy to inadvertently produce adverse effects on other species. Results indicate likely benefits to the Seaside Centipede Lichen and other species occupying the same habitat. Recovery strategy implementation is expected to result in increased retention of coastal old-growth forest, and improved knowledge and understanding of Seaside Centipede Lichen ecology in Pacific Northwest coastal environments. An improved ecological understanding of the species is beneficial, as it will help to focus current and subsequent recovery planning actions for the species and improve the probability for successful recovery. The net environmental effect of the recovery strategy is expected to be positive to both the species and the habitat in which it exists.

Some proposals described in the recovery strategy are conceptual. It is not possible to fully evaluate the environmental effects of these initiatives at this time. As more detailed information becomes available, projects will be assessed pursuant to the provisions of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA). The Parks Canada Agency is a Responsible Authority under the CEAA. The Agency will not undertake any project prior to preparing an environmental assessment and deciding on a course of action to approve, not approve, or refer the project for additional EA review.

The Seaside Centipede Lichen (Heterodermia sitchensis Goward and Noble) was described in the mid 1980s from the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia (Goward 1984). It received official status in 1996 as endangered in Canada on the basis of its highly restricted global distribution, its endemic status in Canada, its specialized ecological requirements, and its extreme vulnerability to habitat degradation. The known population in Canada numbers 212 thalli, almost 90 percent of these in only five localities. Repeated surveys indicate a declining population at many sites.

Some important biologically limiting factors for Seaside Centipede Licheninclude the following: It is known from near the high tide zone, the majority in old Sitka Spruce trees with a cylindrical canopy. It only reproduces asexually and appears to be a poor disperser. It is only found in regions of very high moisture and fog. It may be limited to sites offering some protection from full exposure to maritime conditions. It prefers sites with basic rather than siliceous bedrock. It is benefited by and requires secondary nutrient enrichment at most sites where it occurs. Key threats for Seaside Centipede Lichen include natural or anthropogenic climate changes, increased severity of weather patterns, habitat loss through forest harvesting, foreshore development, branch collection, pruning or other disturbance, and disruption of natural patterns of nutrient distribution.

Recovery is considered feasible: There are a number of individuals still extant. There is habitat available to support the species. It appears that many threats can be mitigated or avoided. There has not been enough study into recovery techniques for this species, their effectiveness is unknown.

The overall goal for the recovery of Seaside Centipede Lichen is to maintain a self-sustaining population within its historic range in Canada that would enable COSEWIC to recommend downlisting the species from endangered to threatened. This goal will be achieved by habitat protection, suitable site management, public education, further research, monitoring, and reporting.

Common Name: Seaside Centipede Lichen

Scientific Name: Heterodermia sitchensis

COSEWIC Status: Endangered

Reason for designation: Highly restricted endemic with critically low populations and complex microhabitat requirements

Canadian Occurrence: BC

COSEWIC Status History: First designated in 1996. It has not been reevaluated since designation.

Seaside Centipede Lichen is a semi-erect, cushion-forming, foliose lichen to about 2 cm across. The lobes are short to elongate, 1–2 mm wide, and furnished with long thin "eyelashes" (cilia). The upper surface is pale greenish and often bears scattered whitish "spots". Mature specimens usually have urn-shaped apothecia near the lobe tips, these with prominent rims bearing ring-shaped soralia on their inner surface. The thallus is white and cottony (noncorticate) below and bears long, blackish marginal cilia. A more detailed description is given in Goward (1984).

Seaside Centipede Lichen is endemic to the Pacific Northwest of North America. At the time of its description in the mid 1980s, it was known from only two sites on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The first of these was Schooner Cove in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and the second was near Ucluelet on the Ucluth Peninsula. Unfortunately, it disappeared from the latter locality in the early 1990s as a result of clearcut logging for subdivision development (Goward, personal observation). Since then intensive surveys have located it at a number of locations in Canada (Table 1) and two specimens have been reported from Cape Lookout in Oregon (McHenry and Tønsberg 2002). Seaside Centipede Lichen is ranked S2S3 (imperilled to vulnerable) in BC and G2G3 globally (NatureServe 2005).

After four years of search effort (2001–2004) the known population in Canada numbers 212 thalli (based on the most recent counts at each site; Goward and Wright 2003, Wright 2004). Almost 90 percent of these are restricted to five localities: Florencia Island, Wouwer Island, Folger Island, Lawrence Islets, and the Spring Island area. Elsewhere the occurrence of this species is highly localized.

Table 1 : Seaside Centipede Lichen (Heterodermia sitchensis) occurrences in Canada
(PRNPR = Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, BC = Province of British Columbia Crown land). Table is organized by observation year.
Site description Observation year Jurisdiction Status, if known Thalli #
Schooner Cove – Holotype Locality 1983 PRNPR 15
Ucluth Peninsula A 1983 Town of Ucluelet 5
Total Observed Thalli – 1983 20
Schooner Cove – Holotype Locality 1991 PRNPR Stable 15
Total Observed Thalli – 1991
(Status Report prepared in 1994 based on this data)
15
Ucluth Peninsula A NA Town of Ucluelet Extirpated in early 1990’s
Schooner Cove - Holotype Locality 2001 PRNPR Declining 1
Florencia Bay North 2001 PRNPR 3
Wickaninnish South 2001 PRNPR 2
Wickaninnish S - Village 2001 PRNPR 1
Florencia Island 2001 PRNPR 60
Ucluth Peninsula B 2001 BC 2
Wouwer Island 2001 PRNPR 42
Small Islet near Wouwer Island 2001 PRNPR 2
Dicebox Island 2001 PRNPR 1
Lawrence Islets 2001 BC 1
Total Observed Thalli - 2001 115
Florencia Island 2002 PRNPR 27
Lawrence Islets 2002 BC 21
Schooner Cove - Holotype locality 2002 PRNPR Declining 1 thallus dying
East of Schooner Cove Holotype locality 2002 PRNPR Declining 3 (2 thalli dying)
Wouwer Island 2002 PRNPR Declining 12
Folger Island 2002 BC 18
Benson Island 2002 PRNPR 1
Total Observed Thalli - 2002 83
Spring Island (Kyuquot Sound) 2004 BC 6
Unnamed Island (Kyuquot Sound) 2004 BC 48
Total Observed Thalli - 2004 54
Global range

Seaside Centipede Lichen is only known from the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada and from one site on the Oregon coast. The latter site, Cape Lookout in Coastal Oregon (McHenry and Tønsberg 2002), is a narrow peninsula jutting 2 km into the Pacific Ocean.

Canadian range

Approximately 20 locations on the west coast of Vancouver Island are currently known. The majority of these occur within Pacific Rim National Park Reserve (Table 1). In 2002, new occurrences located outside the park were on Folger Island and Lawrence Islets. Folger Island is located near Bamfield between the Broken Group Island Unit and the West Coast Trail Unit of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Lawrence Islets are located north of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve between Vargas and Bartlett islands in Clayoquot Sound. The Canadian range was extended approximately 130 km to the northwest in 2004 when two sites were found in Kyuquot Sound.

Percent of Global Distribution in Canada

Almost 100% of the global distribution occurs in Canada. Seaside Centipede Lichen is known from only one site outside Canada.

Some previously known sites, including the holotype locality at Schooner Cove in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, have been resurveyed (Table 1). The holotype locality has been in decline for several years, in 2002 significantly fewer thalli were observed and the remaining thalli were noted to be in poor condition. Other sites resurveyed in 2002 showed a similar trend of declining thalli numbers and health from the previous year. It is believed that inordinately severe winter storms during the winter of 2001/2002 resulted in the loss of specimens and reduced vigour at many sites. Longer-term comparisons from the holotype locality suggest that Seaside Centipede Lichen is short-lived and must frequently colonize new sites. It is not known whether Seaside Centipede Lichen has been significantly affected by human activities or whether its abundance is similar to historic levels.

Biological needs and limiting factors

Seaside Centipede Lichen is a pioneer lichen largely confined to small twigs. It reproduces asexually. As with other pioneer lichens it tends to be short-lived, enduring perhaps 10 to 15 years until such time as it is out-competed by more aggressive lichens and bryophytes. This observation may be key to understanding its status as a rare species; while Seaside Centipede Lichen has adopted a life strategy based on a requirement for frequent dispersal and colonization, it also appears to be a poor disperser. The life history of Seaside Centipede Lichen suggests a particular sensitivity to habitat modification and a strong dependence on the maintenance of robust coastal ecosystems.

Seaside Centipede Lichen appears to lead a very precarious existence as a site must satisfy many peculiar conditions for successful colonization and growth. For instance, the frequent association of Seaside Centipede Lichenwith the perch branches of birds suggests this species is not stable at most sites; though the host trees themselves may be long-lived, the branches supporting Seaside Centipede Lichenare likely to be relatively ephemeral.

Ecological Role

Seaside Centipede Lichen is not known to serve a critical or keystone ecological function, no other species are known to be dependant upon it. It appears to have a very complex life history, but this does not translate into important ecological function for other species or ecosystem processes. It does play a role in trapping marine-derived nutrients in a terrestrial system. We anticipate that further research into nutrient cycles on the Pacific coast will reveal more species and processes which demonstrate sea to shore cycling to be a very important function in coastal terrestrial environments.

It is well known that lichens are important sentinels of environmental change. Seaside Centipede Lichen and associated lichen species may fit well into environmental monitoring strategies as indicators of environmental change and/or degradation.

Habitat needs

Seaside Centipede Lichen is a tree-dwelling lichen found to date only on Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis). Seaside Centipede Lichen is not distributed at random, rather this species exhibits several clear and to a large extent predictable patterns of distribution. Some of the important habitat features required by Seaside Centipede Licheninclude the following (Goward 2001, Goward and Wright 2002):

In general four broad factors largely predict the presence of this species: ocean proximity, old or slow growing Sitka Spruce, partly defoliated branches, and nutrient enrichment (Goward and Wright 2002). The specific habitat requirements of Seaside Centipede Lichen result in a limited supply of suitable habitat.

In addition, suitable habitat may be further restricted to old-growth forests. Few ecologically and geographically restricted epiphytic lichens are known to occur in second-growth forests (Goward 1994b). By virtue of their structural homogeneity and especially their environmental instability, second-growth forests are unsuited to colonization by most lichens growing at or near the ecological limits of their range (Goward 1994a). In contrast, old-growth forests are structurally much more heterogeneous and environmentally more stable (Franklin et al. 1981), and so permit colonization by a much wider assortment of species including those with poor dispersal abilities (Goward 1993, 1994 a and b).

It is perhaps useful to also describe habitats that tend not to support Seaside Centipede Lichen. Localities lacking a fringe of Sitka Spruce are one such habitat. The general scarcity of Sitka Spruce in the inner islands of the Broken Group reduce the chances that Seaside Centipede Lichen will be found there at any level of abundance. Sites supporting only young spruce trees usually lack Seaside Centipede Lichen. Young trees generally have a conical growth form not conducive to enrichment by perching birds or dripzone effects. Finally, as already suggested, mainland localities support Seaside Centipede Lichen at much lower levels of abundance than their island counterparts.

The following points are the primary natural or human-induced threats that have been observed to impact Seaside Centipede Lichen population and habitat.

Much of the known information on the biology of this species indicates that it would be extremely vulnerable to elimination of a portion of its range. Its suspected vulnerability is based on an apparently short lifespan, poor dispersal ability, highly specific habitat requirements, the ephemeral nature of its preferred habitat, and limited suitable habitat availability (details in Section 1.1.3).

Habitat loss through activities such as foreshore development, forest harvesting, pruning, branch collection, or other disturbance are a major threat to Seaside Centipede Lichen. One of two Seaside Centipede Lichen sites discovered in 1983 has been lost due to site clearing for subdivision development. This effect is site-specific. Site restoration after host tree loss would take at least 50 years and probably much longer for a suitably sized Sitka Spruce tree to develop.

Significant populations of Seaside Centipede Lichen occur mostly in the lower branches of Sitka Spruce trees. Site clearing by homeowners or other land stewards to gain better access to the coast or improve the view of the ocean can involve removal of these lower branches and loss of Seaside Centipede Lichen and/or its habitat. Furthermore, collection of the easily accessible lower branches for firewood could lead to significant habitat loss.

Forest harvesting is a threat if harvesting occurs near sites with Seaside Centipede Lichen. Harris (1984) suggests that a buffer strip of trees would have to be at least 60 metres wide to preserve the highly specific microclimatic conditions required by more sensitive epiphytic lichens.

This species depends on localized nutrient enrichment, often mediated by local wildlife. Any change in patterns of use on sea lion haul-outs, a reduction in raptor or seabird populations, or seabird colony disruption poses a threat to existing Seaside Centipede Lichen populations. Many factors including foreshore development, loss of bird perches, and food availability can influence numbers of seabirds, raptors, and marine mammals. Other activities or effects that can potentially alter ecosystem processes, degrade Seaside Centipede Lichen habitat, and impact the ability of Seaside Centipede Lichen to maintain a self-sustaining population include pollution, climate change, human population growth, urbanization, logging, and tourism.

It is unknown what impacts coastal development may have on the distribution of raptors, seabirds, and marine mammals which all appear to play a critical role in the nutrient enrichment requirements of Seaside Centipede Lichen.

Some of the warmest years recorded since weather records have been kept occurred in the last decade or two; this pattern of warming seems to be accompanied by an increase in the frequency and severity of storm events. An increased severity of winter storms can result in branches hosting Seaside Centipede Lichen to be repeatedly sprayed with salt water and violently washed by breaking waves. All populations would be expected to suffer to some degree by deteriorating winter weather conditions. However, due to specific geography of the coast and predominant fetch, specific populations may be devastatingly impacted by storm events. Some Seaside Centipede Lichen populations will be afforded a relatively high degree of protection from severe winter storm events due to their occurrence on the leeward side of islands. The effects of severe winter weather patterns were apparent during the field study conducted in June 2002 (Goward and Wright 2003). The effects of wave action were clearly evidenced on affected branches, and several specimens had died or were in poor vigour.

Natural or human-influenced drying conditions could be precipitated if global warming trends prove to be a longer-term phenomenon. This could adversely affect all populations of Seaside Centipede Lichen.

No critical habitat, as defined under the federal Species at Risk Act [s2], is proposed for identification at this time.

While much has been learned about the habitat of the Seaside Centipede Lichen, more definitive work must be completed before any specific sites can be formally proposed as critical habitat. It is expected that critical habitat will be proposed within one or more recovery action plans following consultation and development of stewardship options with affected landowners and organizations and completion of outstanding work required to quantify specific habitat and area requirements for the species.

Notwithstanding the above, information on the current state of knowledge regarding habitat needs and sites of occupation are included in this recovery strategy. This section describes, to the extent possible, the occupied and potential habitat, examples of activities which are likely to destroy critical habitat, and a schedule of studies required to define critical habitat.

Occupied Habitat
Habitat © Parks Canada Agency/Brian Reader

All known sites (Table 1), as well as sufficient dispersal habitat, and important ecosystem functions should be considered during the process of critical habitat identification--it is likely that critical habitat identification will need to occur on a site by site basis and consider metapopulation2 dynamics.

Potential Habitat

This recovery strategy endorses the retention of existing habitat for the survival of Seaside Centipede Lichenand is not suggesting recovery of degraded habitat where the species was present historically.

The core of the known range of Seaside Centipede Lichen is within Pacific Rim National Park Reserve (10 of 15 extant sites) where it is afforded protection under the regulations of the Canada National Parks Act and the Species at Risk Act. Regulations under the Canada National Parks Act prohibit collection of plant material including tree branches: National Park General Regulations state, “No person shall remove, deface, damage or destroy any flora or natural objects in a Park except in accordance with a permit issued under subsection 11(1) or 12(1).” Habitat availability should remain relatively constant within Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

The land tenure of the remainder of the known Seaside Centipede Lichen range (5 of 15 sites) is uncertain. Locations on Provincial Crown land can be protected by the Province of British Columbia through existing statutes such as designation as a Wildlife Habitat Area under the Forest and Range Practices Act or Old Growth Management Areas under the Land Act.

Survey Requirements
Biological/Ecological Research Requirements

This initial recovery strategy for Seaside Centipede Lichen focuses on conservation of identified Seaside Centipede Lichen sites while research improves our understanding of the range, distribution, life history, and ecology of the species. This section lists several knowledge gaps that must be filled in order to further refine recovery strategy goals in the next planning iteration and improve Seaside Centipede Lichen conservation.


1 In the discussion on distribution, the term "site" is used to refer to occurrences of H. sitchensis on the scale of a single tree or a few adjacent trees. "Locality" designates an assemblage of more or less neighbouring sites.
2 The assemblage of discrete local populations in an area connected by dispersal or migration.

In consideration of the criteria for determining feasibility (Table 2)--

Table 2: Feasibility criteria for determining the feasibility of recovery
(Environment Canada et al. 2005)

Feasibility Criteria

Evaluation
1. Are individuals capable of reproduction currently available to improve the population growth rate or population abundance? Yes
2. Is sufficient suitable habitat available to support the species or could it be made available through habitat management or restoration? Yes
3. Can significant threats to the species or its habitat be avoided or mitigated through recovery actions? Unknown
4. Do the necessary recovery techniques exist and are they demonstrated to be effective? Unknown

There are significant knowledge gaps pertaining to this species. However, recovery decisions should consider the preservation of biodiversity and the principle that a lack of full scientific certainty is not reason to postpone cost-effective measures to prevent the reduction or loss of a species which faces threats of serious or irreversible damage. To act in accord with the assumption that mitigation will assist Seaside Centipede Lichen’s continued presence in Canada may save the species. To assume and act otherwise risks the potentially preventable loss of a component of world biodiversity. Recovery is considered feasible.

The overall goal for the recovery of Seaside Centipede Lichen is to maintain a self-sustaining metapopulation within its historic range in Canada. Quantitative targets are impossible to set because the current population size, distribution, and dynamics are poorly understood. However, a short term goal of no net loss of habitat or population viability should be adopted in the interim while further study is conducted.

Recovery objectives for Seaside Centipede Lichen are presented in Table 3.

Table 3: Recovery objectives
Recovery Objective Threat addressed COSEWIC criteria addressed
1. Protecta habitat at all known occurrences of Seaside Centipede Lichen throughout its Canadian distribution. Habitat loss
B, D
2. Implement appropriate site management at all protected occurrences. Habitat loss and disruption of natural patterns of nutrient distribution
B, D
3. Protect ecosystem processes critical to Seaside Centipede Lichen. Disruption of natural patterns of nutrient distribution
D
4. Fill knowledge gaps.
B, D

a Protection includes a variety of mechanisms including stewardship and other voluntary means.

Table 4 lists the broad strategies, general steps, and anticipated effects for recovery of Seaside Centipede Lichen. None of the measures listed in Table 4 should be postponed due to a lack of full scientific certainty. The threat of climate change is not discussed because it requires major social and economic change beyond the scope of this recovery strategy.

Table 4: Table of broad strategies, general steps and anticipated effects for recovery of Seaside Centipede Lichen (Heterodermia sitchensis)
Priority Obj. No. Broad Approach / Strategy Threat Addressed General Steps Outcomes or Deliverables(identify measurable targets)
Highest 1
  • Protect habitat.
  • Habitat loss.
  • Increased severity of winter storms.
  • Determine ideal protection strategy and secure currently unprotected sites through stewardship and other mechanisms.
  • Give higher priority to protecting sites which provide greater protection from winter storms.
  • Long term retention of critical habitat.
Highest 3
  • Maintain a healthy coastal ecosystem in proximity to Seaside Centipede Lichen sites.
  • Educate the public.
  • Changes in nutrient distribution patterns.
  • Work toward adequate protection and enforcement for areas such as sea lion haul-outs and seabird colonies.
  • Encourage careful consideration of development and resource extraction so as not to impair key ecosystem processes at Seaside Centipede Lichen sites.
  • Educate the public regarding the importance of all species and their interactions.
  • Retention of nutrient enrichment processes required by Seaside Centipede Lichen.
  • Increased public awareness and sensitivity to the inter-connected-
    ness of healthy ecosystems.
Medium 2
  • Manage protected sites.
  • Public education.
  • Habitat loss.
  • Changes in nutrient distribution patterns.
  • Assess threats at all sites.
  • Develop material on best management practices for Seaside Centipede Lichen sites.
  • Manage known occurrences of Seaside Centipede Lichen in a manner that minimizes human impact on this species.
  • Develop an interpretive display including pamphlets at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
  • Implement camping and/or fire restrictions in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and BC Crown lands such as Spring Island.
  • Better knowledge of threats leading to more effective management.
  • Retention of coastal vegetation and host Sitka Spruce trees.
  • Leaving Sitka Spruce trees in their natural form without pruning.
  • Reduce mortality due to branch collection.
  • Improved awareness leading to a reduction in habitat and population loss.
  • Less disturbance of wildlife integral to nutrient distribution.
Medium 4
  • Inventory
  • N/A
  • Further define the known range and population distribution of Seaside Centipede Lichen in coastal British Columbia.
  • Collaborate with others interested in pursuing population studies in Pacific coast states particularly Washington, Oregon, and Alaska.
  • More accurate population assessment.
  • Improved ability to assess level of rarity and risk (reassess-
    ment based on more data).
Medium 4
  • Research
  • N/A
  • Study the environmental requirements and life history of Seaside Centipede Lichen.
  • Particular attention must be paid to better understanding the role of nutrient enrichment, longevity, and requirements for successful re-colonization.
  • Improved understanding of species vulnerability and critical habitat (including character-istics).
  • Improved ability to mitigate threats.
Medium All
  • Monitoring
  • N/A
  • Develop and implement standardized monitoring protocol.
  • Conduct annual monitoring of known Seaside Centipede Lichen populations to identify and further evaluate population and habitat threats.
  • Submit all data to the BC Conservation Data Centre.
  • Improved management through better information on inter-annual and long-term population trends as well as improved knowledge of threats.
  • Allow a determination of how effective established protective measures have been.
  • Adapt management in response to observed results.
Lowest All
  • Reporting
  • N/A
  • Report on management actions and outcomes.
  • Prepare a revised Status Report by 2005.
  • Allow a determination of how effective established protective measures have been.
  • Consolidate known information on Seaside Centipede Lichen and allow a re-evaluation of status.

Recovery procedures emphasize habitat protection and are thus unlikely to have a negative effect on other species; in fact, protection of Seaside Centipede Lichen habitat is likely to benefit other species. Furthermore, Seaside Centipede Lichen is largely dependant on ecosystem processes mediated by other species and thus requires the protection of those species to maintain a robust and intact coastal ecosystem. Proposed measures will permit natural processes to proceed unimpeded by human activity. The overall potential environmental effect of the proposal after opportunities for mitigation have been incorporated will be positive. Results of implementation of the recovery strategy are expected to yield positive environmental benefits due to retention of coastal old-growth, improved understanding of the ecology of lichens and lichen communities in the Pacific Northwest, and the recovery of Seaside Centipede Lichen.

Performance measures to determine effectiveness of plan implementation are listed in Table 5.

Table 5: Performance measures for Seaside Centipede Lichen (Heterodermia sitchensis) recovery strategy
Objective # Broad Approach/Strategy Evaluation measures
1 Protect habitat
  • Number of Seaside Centipede Lichen sites destroyed.
  • Number of Seaside Centipede Lichen sites appropriately protected by legal designations.
  • Percent of old-growth coastal fringe forests remaining and protected.
  • Change in number of thalli at known sites.
2 Site management
  • Site Management Guidelines developed and distributed to landowners.
  • Number of landowners and mangers employing appropriate management practices for Seaside Centipede Lichen.
  • Suitable campfire and camping restrictions implemented within PRNPR and BC Crown land.
  • Number of site specific threat assessments.
2 Public education
  • Interpretive displays installed at PRNPR.
  • Number of pamphlets handed out/taken.
  • Public support for protection of the species.
3 Maintain a healthy coastal ecosystem
  • Continued presence of seabird colonies, sea lion haul-outs, and raptors at healthy population levels.
4 Inventory
  • Proportion of the British Columbia coast suitable for Seaside Centipede Lichen that has been inventoried for Seaside Centipede Lichen. This measure will provide an estimate of the Canadian population, density, and distribution.
  • Field-testing the reliability of models developed for predicting the occurrence of Seaside Centipede Lichen will indicate relative success of investigations into the ecological and life history requirements of Seaside Centipede Lichen.
All Research
  • Number of knowledge gaps addressed. Further information on species ecology especially relating to nutrient enrichment requirements and life cycle.
  • Ability to more accurately define recovery goals and objectives.
All Monitoring
  • Annual population estimates with determination of trends and threats.
  • Estimates of habitat trends.
  • Management has adapted in response to observed results.
All Reporting
  • Completion of status report and re-evaluation.

The single species approach was chosen for recovery of Seaside Centipede Lichen due to its distinct habitat requirements and threats. Also, Seaside Centipede Lichen is the only COSEWIC-listed lichen in this area.

The core of the known Seaside Centipede Lichen range is within Pacific Rim National Park Reserve managed by the Parks Canada Agency under the Canada National Parks Act. A key provision of this Act states that “Maintenance or restoration of ecological integrity, through the protection of natural resources and natural processes, shall be the first priority of the Minister when considering all aspects of the management of parks.”

The Province of British Columbia is a partner on the recovery team and will be responsible for ensuring sound management practices on Provincial Crown land.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has not been a participant on the recovery team but requirements under the Federal Oceans Act and Fisheries Act demand that marine resource harvesting be conducted in a sustainable manner.

A Recovery Action Plan (RAP) for Seaside Centipede Lichen will be completed by 2009. The RAP is expected to include direction on management of human caused threats, critical habitat identification, a multi-year research strategy to fill key knowledge gaps, monitoring activities and protocols, an education and outreach program, and habitat protection guidelines for Seaside Centipede Lichen.

Franklin, J.F., K. Cromack, W. Denison, A. McKee, C. Maser, J. Sedell, F. Swanson, and G. Juday. 1981. Ecological characteristics of old-growth Douglas-fir forests. United States Department of Agriculture (Forest Service), General Technical Report PNW-118.

Goward, T. 1984. Heterodermia sitchensis, a new lichen from the Pacific Northwest of North America. The Bryologist 37: 366-368.

Goward, T. 1993 ("1991"). Epiphytic lichens: going down with the trees. Pp. 153-158 in Rautio, S. (ed.), Community action for endangered species: a public symposium on B.C.'s threatened and endangered species and their habitat. Federation of British Columbia Naturalists, Vancouver.

Goward, T. 1994a. Notes on oldgrowth-dependent epiphytic macrolichens in inland British Columbia, Canada. Acta Botanica Fennica 150: 31-38.

Goward, T. 1994b. Status report on the seaside Centipede Lichen, Heterodermia sitchensis, in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Working Document, June 1994.

Goward, T. 2001. The Seaside Centipede Lichen, Heterodermia sitchensis: Notes on Distribution and Ecology. Parks Canada Unpublished Report.

Goward, T. 2004. Notes on the Lichens of Haida Gwaii With Special Emphasis on the Seaside Centipede Lichen (Heterodermia sitchensis). Unpublished report prepared for Parks Canada.

Goward, T. and K.G. Wright. 2002. Heterodermia sitchensis Project Field Summary. Unpublished report prepared for Parks Canada.

Goward, T. and K.G. Wright. 2003. The seaside Centipede Lichen, Heterodermia sitchensis: notes on distribution and ecology. II. Unpublished report prepared for Parks Canada.

Harris, L.D. 1984. The fragmented forest: Island biogeography theory and the preservation of biotic diversity. The University of Chicago Press.

McHenry, G. and T. Tønsberg. 2002. Heterodermia sitchensis found in Oregon, U.S.A. Evansia 19: 158-160.

NatureServe. 2005. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 4.6. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. (Accessed: December 7, 2005).

Wright, K.G. 2004. Seaside Centipede Lichen (Heterodermia sitchensis) 2004 Studies Field Summary Report. Unpublished report prepared for Parks Canada.

Barkman, J.J. 1958. Phytosociology and ecology of cryptogamic epiphytes. Van Gorcum, Assen. 628 pp.

Consolidated Statutes of Canada. Fisheries Act. Chapter F-14.

Consolidated Statutes of Canada. Canada National Parks Act. 2000. c. 32

Consolidated Statutes of Canada. Oceans Act. 1996. c. 31.

Environment Canada, Parks Canada Agency and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.2004. Species at Risk Act Policy: Recovery--Draft--Policy on the Feasibility of Recovery. April 15, 2005. Ottawa.

Goward, T. and A. Arsenault. 2000. Cyanolichen distribution in young unmanaged forests: a dripzone effect? The Bryologist 103: 28-37.

National Recovery Working Group. 2004. Recovery Handbook. April 2004. Working Draft. Recovery of Nationally Endangered Wildlife, Ottawa, Ontario. 36 pp. plus appendices.

Vitt, D. H., J. E. Marsh, R. B. Bovey. 1988. Mosses, Lichens & Ferns of Northwest North America. Lone Pine Publishing. 296 pp.

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